This unit is a fun and easy way to introduce the Caldecott Medal and run a quick mock election!

I am a K-5 Library Media Specialist in two elementary schools and am on a very tight fixed schedule with 35 minute classes. I have used this unit in my K-3 classes, but I feel that 4th and 5th graders would have fun with this as well as they still love picture books!

This unit would also be appropriate for classroom teachers as well.

I spend three class sessions on this unit. The first session is introducing the Caldecott Medal with a PowerPoint and having the students look at previous winners that we have in our library media center. The next two sessions will have the students participating in a Mock Caldecott Election with titles that I have chosen. I do this unit every January and try to select books that may have a chance of winning. I explain in more detail how I do this in the product download.

Please note that you don’t have to do this unit in January. You may do this at any time of the year! You may also choose the picture books that are your favorites, whether they are recently published or old favorites. There are many ways to tweak this unit to suit your needs and your students.

Included in this product download are:

- PowerPoint that introduces the Caldecott Medal (25 slides)
- A different version of the above PowerPoint where some of the wording is simplified for K-1 students (25 slides)
- Table Signs for the Mock Election
- Two different simple versions of the Mock Election ballot (you pick the one that suits you)
- A Caldecott Award Evaluation Sheet that includes more sophisticated criteria written in kid-friendly language for grades 2 and up. You may choose to use this sheet with older students instead of the other ballots. Just another option for you!
- Directions for how I use this unit and run a Mock Caldecott Election

This aligns with Common Core Standards:

K: RL.K.6, RL.K.7
1: RL.1.7
2: RL.2.7
3: RL.3.7
4: RL.4.7
5: RL.5.7

Trust me when I say I wish I could devote WEEKS to reading and studying Caldecott books. This is just the way it works for me in a time-crunched situation. As I stated before, make it work for you. If you have more time to devote to this, I definitely envy you!

If you want to keep students reading all summer long, I have a K-5 "Book Swap" planning packet you may like!

Terms of Use:
This product is to be used by the PURCHASER only! If others in your district would like to use this, please follow copyright rules and purchase additional licenses which are offered at a discount.

Still have questions or a special request?
Please click on the Product Q&A tab to ask a question or send me a private email: info@elementarylibrarymama.com

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